I Called Spirit Mid, So My Girlfriend Made Me Rewatch It (Part 2)

[@SmartyPantsYT]

Part 1 of the review is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3LPlJyVgLyZea8

[@nightthistleanimationandar6534]

Hm. Should I mention that spirit riding free and spirit untamed exist? Maybe….

[@forestgrump4723]

I’m pissed they had the nerve to do a follow up to this movie that’s like… a riding school show. God sakes there are like a hundred books you could have adapted into a show about a riding club Spirit’s whole message was freedom

[@Budgetdisco]

Yes this 1000%. It's like they forgot the message of the original film and lost all depth

[@Replicaate]

Could've done a legacy sequel format where some east coast writer cashing in on the nostalgia for the "wild west" era (which was already starting in the 1890s-1900s), gets in contact with a much older Col. and Little Creek after hearing about their entwined histories with a remarkable wild horse, and they go searching to see if any of Spirit's and Rain's descendants still roam free somewhere.

[@lunar_proxy]

i'm saying, i tried to watch it but just couldn't. that shii was NOT my spirit

[@Asexual_Individual]

Dreamworks likely did it because creating a new show would require creating a new IP/getting the rights to adapt one of those horse books. Meanwhile, Spirit is right there and comes with a small in-built audience (parents putting it on for their children because they remember watching the movie as kids themselves). Unfortunately, money trumps the original themes and message of the movie.

[@anastasiasurina4644]

I'm just pretending that this thing doesn't exist

[@nelhuiliztli2926]

It’s not that often, but one thing that Dreamworks surpass Disney in are the Quiet Scene, no dialogues. These are moments that are either chill, impactful, or both. - Moses & Tziporah after the burning bush - Spirit & Rain at the pond - Miguel learning with the El Doradorans - (Edited in) Hiccup and Toothless’ first amigable scene - Po remembering his mother when they were fleeing - Toothless and the Light Fury’s sky dance

[@Finn-wc8nq]

More so toothless and hiccups first bonding scene in movie 1

[@Impulsive_egg]

The Forbidden Friendship scene in HTTYD is god tier

[@nelhuiliztli2926]

Thanks guys, you’re right

[@felixhenson9926]

the montage w Shrek and Fiona falling in love i think too

[@Darkfur94]

Glossed over the way this movie shows the differences in the relationships between the army and their horses (dominating the animals and the land) and the lakota (respecting the animals and the land).

[@nikitabreslin4568]

Why am I tearing up at the SUMMARY

[@tresenpartychef1891]

I thought the same thing!

[@CatLoaf_333]

SAME BRO IT’S NOT EVEN THAT SAD T-T

[@sam127nct]

ME I CRIED

[@OpossumNotPossum]

Spirit isn’t only a metaphor for manifest destiny, but also residential schools. “Schools” in the U.S. and Canada that stole native children from their homes, changed their names, cut their hair, beat, starved, crushed their cultures, and in many cases, they kids would die.

[@zebraloverbridget]

I think he might have missed that metaphor because it isn't ever included in history books or pieces about that time period. I live in the US and this is the first time I've ever heard of that happening. (but it is 100% believable without even double checking that fact. and is also a f-ed up thing to do)

[@anamoose461]

@@zebraloverbridgetyeah every so often if you’re looking you’ll see a news report about another mass grave being found near a residential school site. they’d prick kids tongues with needles if they tried to speak their language instead of english, some white people genuinely they could turn native kids white by taking them from native families

[@noraedwardstudio9321]

That is very true!!! Good catch! Not a lot of people know this part of North America’ story

[@art_kitty_1190]

@@noraedwardstudio9321in Canada a good chunk of people know, especially us younger people, we’re taught about it in school,

[@noraedwardstudio9321]

@@art_kitty_1190 Absolutely! I was talking how it was unknown in the world. Like if in Canada, a part of the population still don't know, imagine how other countries might not have access to that information! I was born in Europe and no one knew about that, we don't talk about it even in schools. I am so glad though that this information is reaching more people!

[@hayleybartek8643]

Never mess with Horse Girls and their favorite Horse Movies. I'm a Horse Girl and this is my favorite Horse Movie.

[@skits_3d824]

When the train slammed down that scared the absolute crap outta me. As a little girl at the time that part made me literally jump in my seat in the theater. The surround sound the loud crash and Spirit's life at risk, it was a good intense scene for a 8 year old kid. Then they chose to hang Spirit by a chain only for Little creek to come and save him I was jumping for joy when I saw Little creek saving Spirit. Seriously though a theater watch of this movie is actually REALLY good.

[@sjmhadsock4586]

Sometimes it takes a watch or two to get into something

[@VinylBeta1]

Apparently Kung fu panda for is getting warmed up to. I've have not it at all yet, but appently it's getting better by the minute

[@sjmhadsock4586]

@@VinylBeta1 yeah

[@VinylBeta1]

@@sjmhadsock4586 You suggest I should watch it?

[@WillScarlet16]

One thing I appreciate with this movie is that it avoids the preachment that movies like Disney's Pocahontas fell into; this movie assumes the audience knows enough about the history without needing to be slammed over the head, so the conflict between the Native Americans and the whites is only alluded to, instead of drawn out in broad strokes that end up obscuring the actual history. It's that approach that makes this movie more mature than most animated movies the U.S. has produced. I wish it could produce more.

[@Replicaate]

It's funny cos Disney later on did Brother Bear - another story about indigenous americans that was WAY better than Pocahontas, and people acted like it never existed. More's the pity, Brother Bear is fantastic.

[@florpleborp2275]

@@ReplicaateI’ve never seen brother bear, I honestly had no idea what kind of quality the movie had! Maybe I ought to give it a watch

[@Replicaate]

@@florpleborp2275 I personally love it, even though it's a divisive movie in general. But in my mind, if something gets hate/love instead of a "meh" then it's got to be doing something right.

[@zebraloverbridget]

I watched this as a kid and likely before I knew the backstory fully but it was still super obvious why the US soldiers were bad. There is enough context in tthe movies to make that super clear

[@frederickthesquirrel]

"avoided the preachment"? Spirit was as subtle as a locomotive crashing down a hill and exploding. There was no point in the movie where the message was even slightly ambiguous. Maybe it's a sermon people like, but it was definitely preachy.

[@phantomthedragoness]

This film was my childhood. I love horses and also own a couple, and out of all the horse films out there, good and bad, this tops them all. It's such a beautiful tale, well-written, visually amazing, and all characters feel... real. With a lot of box office bombs today, you can't really say that. And its so sad what has happened to the story of Spirit with that animated series and recent film. Sadder than the original storyline (og storyline is brutal). This film deserved so much more, but thankfully it has not been forgotten 20+ years later.

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

Ugh, 100% agreed! This was such a brilliant film and as a horse lover, even more so! 😁

[@mysocksarewet]

Agreed as well, I used to beg my mum to take out the dvds to watch spirit.

[@Nukaria]

Spirit and black beauty (1994) incidentally both have music by hanz Zimmer are the ONLY two horse centred films I love. Both for different reasons. But both in their own right as a film about a horse as the main character, take me on an emotional journey 😅

[@florpleborp2275]

@@NukariaNever watched the black beauty movies, only a few versions of the books-brutal stuff! Awesome story of survival though

[@samtheflutegirl1373]

My opinion is that this movie should be to America what Kung-Fu Panda was to China. This movie is so American I don't understand why it's not a national treasure. It's got the Old West. It's got horses. It's got cowboys and Native Americans, and appreciation of the natural beauty of our country across a diversity of landscapes. The opening sequence is a bald eagle flying across canyons and open plains while a horse tries to keep pace with him. I'd say it couldn't get more American than that except that I haven't even touched on how much freedom is in this movie. There is so much freedom. Spirit just wants to defend his right to live on his land and do what he wants without a distant far off government telling him what to do. That's so reminiscent of the American Revolution how is this entire country not obsessed with this movie? Plus the line where Little Creak tells him, "I'm never going to ride you am I? And no one ever should." and he's talking about Spirit but he's also talking about what this country did to native Americans? THAT'S SO GOOD! I know some people don't like taking an honest look at our history but this movie isn't any more critical of the US than like, an elementary school history textbook. Pretty much everyone agrees the US screwed Native Americans over on that account. This movie isn't saying anything revolutionary there, but the parallels between the Lakota and the wild horses are immaculate.

[@ivyinkwell1754]

You're entirely right oh my god, it IS literally everything! Bad, and good! It's so frustrating how willfully ignorant white people framed this movie as "politically correct and childish", leading to people avoiding the movie. I can garuntee you that the majority of Americans would have said something against that, but for some reason only the descendants affected history. That's the most depressing thing I've heard in an hour.

[@freshoffthehook904]

This and Balto were childhood. Also one of the best youtube apology vids out there.

[@edwardvincentbriones5062]

I love it when you call it "like a Studio Ghibli film"

[@mikkaribbe6200]

This is my childhood movie. I watched it every weekend, When i got an MP3 Player, i listened to this soundtrack all the time. And it helped me to draw. I love drawing, and as a child I would draw so many Horses, because of James Baxter Tutorial on the DVD. I even watched the Film in english to hear the original Songs by Bryan Adams! I'm not a native english speaker, but i would ask my mom for the English audio. I have a lot of favorite Childhood movies. But none of them, had such an Impact on me. When I say that this movie was my childhood, i really mean it. It helped me become the person I am today. As much as I still love the last unicorn (my second favorite childhood movie. Kinda explains why I love dark fantasy so much), Spirit takes the crown.

[@readmachine18]

Broooo, The Last Unicorn!! What a trip, hey? 😅 Was definitely also a feature of my childhood, lol

[@mikkaribbe6200]

@@readmachine18 Yep. A weired one but I loved it.

[@valefarkoko2023]

Oh my god I remember that tutorial by heart! I drew countless yellow and brown horsies back then and I wonder where my art skills would be left at now if this movie wouldn't exist. I still watch it once a year :3

[@mikkaribbe6200]

@@valefarkoko2023 I was so obsessed with it too! I still draw horses with this method. Maybe i wouldnt draw today if it wasnt for this movie and the tutorial. It helped me to understand the basics of drawing better than any book. And the movie is just beautiful. You know what? I go watch it now. It has been to long since I watched it. (Funny thing: on car rides I Imagined a brown horse or spirit running next to the Car.)

[@sudenkieppi]

Oh goodness, the DVD tutorial was awesome! I think it had a pretty massive effect on my own art journey. I already wrote a whole long comment on the first part of the review about my personal thoughts on the movie and mentioned that tutorial there too haha!! I never really got into animation, and my current style is... fairly different and more personal, but I think there are still some traces of the style from Spirit in certain bits or processes in my art. I draw more dogs and people than horses, but I think my sketching process at least is somewhat inspired by that tutorial. Also as a Finnish person who only ever saw the Finnish dub of Spirit until I tried to watch it in English recently but literally couldn't because the songs especially were so different, consider listening to the Finnish covers of the songs... Absolutely no hate to the OG American songs, but at least a couple of them are personally even better in Finnish. The main one is for sure the cover of You Can't Take Me. There's a bunch of uploads of it on YT, but I think the best clipped one is by NonDisneyFIN, as a lot of them tend to be cut too abrutply from the start or the end. You can find it on KZbin by just typing in "Spirit you can't take me nondisneyfin"! It should be the top result, but if it isn't, the title also has [HD 1080p] at the end so it might be easier to find. I'd link it here but I think YT doesn't like links in comments anymore because of all the bots.

[@Finn-wc8nq]

The horses in spirit dont talk but their eyebrows sure do

[@cinnamoncat1865]

I love spirit, it was my childhood movie and the music, the music was is so good and made me love horse so much too

[@MartialartzzObsessedGlader]

“And why am I crying “ That’s so real. The way you summarised this movies makes me happy

[@horse14t]

One thing that I love about Spirit that no one talks about is that Spirit is one of few horse movies that's not overly depressing! Yeah there are sad moments but it's no where near the same depressing levels as Black Beauty or Flicka (plus, since those are live action movies I always got the feeling that the real horse was being abused, even if it really wasn't which made me uncomfortable). As a horse loving kid who hated horse movies for those reasons Spirit was a breath of fresh air! Edit: Upon looking it up apparently one horse on Flicka broke its leg during filming and was euthanized and another broke its neck tripping on a rope while running.

[@shadowwatcherproductions5281]

Fun (not really) Fact, but did you know Spirit was actually supposed to be a lot darker? I'm talking Black Beauty levels dark. There was a version of the story where Spirit was in fact tamed and was moved from place to place as a work horse. Apparently the original version of Spirit was so dark and depressing that people in the studio started calling it "Shindler's Horse", after the Holocaust movie "Shindler's List". If you go searching for it on KZbin, there's a video that talks about that 1st draft of the movie. I'm so glad the didn't go with that original version for Spirit. It would've been too dark for a DreamWorks family movie. I'm so happy and thankful for the version we got, but to think that in another universe, we could've gotten a much darker version of Spirit... Btw, the video talking about that draft was titled something like: "5 scenes that didn't make it into the film Spirit" or something along those lines if you want to see what I'm talking about.

[@horse14t]

@@shadowwatcherproductions5281 Yes! I've seen the concept art and read up on it a few times! I'm glad they went with the lighter tone too. In terms of horse movies it was revolutionary at the time XD (and still is to a degree)

[@iPyromantic]

There's a movie ... I can't help but wonder if it inspired Spirit somehow. It's an Australian live-action film called The Silver Stallion, and it's honestly INCREDIBLE, but I also don't think there was anyone there really making sure the animals were safe. I think a horse actually dies on camera.

[@sophielekve8369]

The scene where Black Beauty (1994) and Joe reunite at an auction, and Beauty is skin-and-bones. That was before CGI (right?), which terrifies me to think how the horse became that skinny for that one scene.

[@horse14t]

@@sophielekve8369 I had the exact same thought as a kid when I saw that scene! So far, I haven't been able to find info about that particular horse in that scene... Or behind the scenes info in general. My searches just get bogged down by people talking about the book and the movie's themes.

[@Oraanu]

I remember seeing this in theaters when I was 7. This movie essentially made me who I am today, and it was the foundation that cultivated my love of horses, art, animation, and score music.

[@horse14t]

Every time I watch Spirit (which has been a lot) I always notice something new, like when Spirit notices the camp in the beginning of the movie, if you listen closely you can actually hear the faint harmonica that he notices! And when Spirit is exploring the Lakota camp with Rain you can hear some elders talking in Lakota language. When Rain is shot by the Colonel you can actually see the bullet wound on her shoulder when Spirit finds her after they fall off the waterfall! I don't know of any other animated film in the same rating that depicts a bullet wound like that, even if there's no blood. Also, not in the movie but the Colonel's horse is canonically named Granite and Spirit's mom is named Esperanza. Spirit's father never appears in the film but in the books, (which were released after the movie and follow some of Spirit and Rain's ancestors) Spirit's father is given the name Strider and is black in colour. Unfortunately, the book leaves it unclear if Strider is dead or not before the events of the film so it's unknown if he's just missing or passed away at some point before Spirit's birth.

[@DueSouthWests]

There are books???

[@horse14t]

@@DueSouthWests Yep! They're called Spirit of the West by Kathleen Duey. There are 4 in total (in order) 1. Bonita 2. Sierra 3. Esperanza 4. Spirit Bonita is the grandmother of Rain, Sierra is Rain's mother and Esperanza is of course Spirit's mother.

[@Replicaate]

Even more specific, the harmonica song is "Red River Valley". Which seems like a deliberate choice: "From this valley they say you are going..."

[@horse14t]

@@Replicaate Oh cool! I never knew it was a specific song!

[@pikabolt5196]

Dude, this movie was my childhood. I was honestly shocked to learn how badly it did financially in this video, I had always assumed it had done amazingly. Not really heard many people talking about it negatively (now the abomination that is Riding Free and Spirit “Untamed” dragging the original through the mud rather than admitting to being their own thing, that is a different story). It’s my all time favorite movie and I’m glad you were willing to give it a second shot

[@shadowwatcherproductions5281]

So glad your girlfriend helped you see the light and realize how amazing this film is. It's got everything! Great music, Family, friendship, slow moments, fast moments, sad moments, comedy, playfulness, romance, action, adventure...it even has shit being blown up! I mean come on!!! How is that not the definition of an epic!? I will literally fight anyone who slanders my boy, Spirit! This movie is an absolute gem.❤ In all seriousness though, this movie really helped to shape me into the person I am today. Horses are my favorite animal, and this movie has really influenced me personally and creatively. Heck, Spirit taught me how to draw horses (and other animals) and really influenced the kinds of stories I want to tell and the values I want to follow. This movie is my Roman Empire, and it will always be my favorite movie of all time.❤🐴🐎

[@benjaminwitham8142]

Spirit is definitely a childhood favourite watched it often the animation and art direction is phenomenal it really captures the classic wild west aesthetics we need more western animated films like this and also other historical period piece animated films in general and the soundtrack is so heartfelt there among my favourite songs from dreamworks films

[@Seminooos]

I would absolutely go watch this in the theater if they ever released it again (especially since it would be my first time to do so).

[@zuzannajabonska9104]

As a former horse girl I watched this movie every day as a child and had a mental breakdown one day when the cd broke. From that day we had a backup cd of Spirit. But genuinely tho, rewatching it as an adult, this movie is a masterpiece and I don’t think anything like this is made nowadays. The story, the drama, the peacefulness, the meaning behind the horses! It’s truly remarkable. Ahead of it’s time.

[@Kibui]

I used to watch this movie so much growing up and it's still among my all time favourites today. It also still makes me tear up. I love how it's a horse movie without actually incorporating any of those typical "horse media" tropes for kids (girls especially). The soundtrack really is an absolute banger all the way through. My personal favourite non-lyric song is the instrumental version Hans Zimmer made of "Brothers under the sun" that plays when Little Creek lets Spirit go among other scenes. I'm telling you, the use of leitmotifs to convery emotions, growths, what's going on, etc. is off the charts with this film and I adore it

[@nightmarehound]

3:21 In fairness you generally want to use water from as upstream as you can, because a lake has gathered all the crap thats hit the water upstream (animal piss, carcasses, leaf matter etc) and flow of water decreases algae and insects. If you ever go hiking in an area where you drink form the source so to speak, the first rule to know is to take usable water from upstream and wash in downstream. Anyway, this and the Silver Brumby were my childhood's The horse medias!

[@iPyromantic]

AAAAAAAAAAAA In America it was released as The Silver Stallion but AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I don’t think I've *EVER* come across someone else who knows that film?? It's really similar to Spirit, isn't it?

[@nightmarehound]

@@iPyromantic Yeah! It was also a book and a cartoon series, which go further into the horse herd politics.

[@owenjolley351]

1:45 *I guess you could call it “Horse-play”.*

[@hope_youtube]

Fun fact : the singer who sang all the songs also recorded them all in French for the French release of the movie

[@mollymccall1402]

With movie theaters rerunning old movies in them- maybe we can get lucky enough for Spirit to revisit theaters and maybe more people will get to know how great Spirit is too and come to love it as well

[@horse14t]

I've always wanted to see Spirit in a theatre!

[@frostbittenskater995]

Spirit birthed by love of horses since my earliest memories. I'm 26 now and still have every second of that film memorized! Lol there really is nothing like it.

[@xarenanotmyrealname4134]

This is what happens when you relay on the stats of a movie instead forming your own opinion your girlfriend gets to gloat.

[@wildguy4773]

4:34 fun fact, animators had different idea for this scene, they wanted to put spirit wings in this jumping scene so he looks like flying that he wished he could fly at one points, but they tough pegasus would be stupid so ye 😂

[@delveaking1188]

"Why am i crying?" I felt that. Definitely not mid. S Tier.

[@marisokami5259]

honestly you'd have a hard time finding a more honest western film that isn't super dark and sad or too graphic, especially for the time, the americans are the bad guys, they don't need a reason to attack the camp, they just do, they show how people are cruel to horses without being too graphic, there aren't many family friendly movies that go there, but the lakota aren't saints either since they also capture spirit, there's pobably lots of mistakes made with portraying them but it's also great for the time since they very much are just people doing people things, the ending is also very bittersweet because although spirit succeeded in getting home, in his own words, "wether the west was won or lost you have to decide for yourself" if i remember the quote right. which just makes the netflix origional horsegirlified version so sad, but that's also the special thing about spirit, it's a profoundly sad movie but you only really feel it as an adult, it's still fun and adventurous when you're younger and they figure out how to make it spirit's story without going into side tangents about what the humans are up to, it's all what the horse sees and what concerns the horse

[@ItsJustCake]

I enjoyed Spirit as a kid mainly because it was a horse movie, then revisited it while I was in college. I was completely blown away by how gorgeous its everything is, the animation, the music (I will not shut up about the music of this film if given half a chance), the story, the message... Definitely one that I've grown to appreciate more as an adult than when I first viewed. Gorgeous film, absolute travesty it didn't get more love.

[@starsantheoriginal]

It's one of the best soundtracks ever made. This, the Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and lilo and stitch. Just epic, next level and beautiful soundtracks. Didn't need to go even HALF as hard as they did

[@Duckkis]

Good that you came to your senses about this movie! I watched this a lot in my teen years. I was kind of a horse girl so of course Spirit was right up my alley. I still love horses to this day, just like I still love this movie. The music, the characters, the visuals.. it's all so good.

[@Doubtfulgrace101]

I heard somewhere the Dreamworks producers or some such caught Bryan Adams after a long gig tour and made him do the "Sound the Bugle" song because it would make the song more effective. I dont know how to feel about that if true because it seems very likely. My man sounds goddamn exhausted and burnout is objectly bad for creatives but in this case it legitimately made the song more impactful and complimented the narrative so much better than if he just did it alongside "Get off my back" and " this is me" with a full 8 hours.

[@milamartial]

Spirit is my favorite animation movie. It's really hard for me to pick favorites but with Spirit, it's an obvious choice. Like you said, it has everything : peace, action, emotions, bangers songs that I listen on loop... I think it's the movie I've rewatched the most in my life

[@p.j.7143]

Adding on to the many comments already made, but this movie was my childhood as well. I still have my Spirit DVD ∼20 years later! No matter how many times I watched this movie, I always cried at the same spot (when he's on the train and sees his herd in the snow). What's crazy is 20 something years later and I never lost that passion--I am now an animal caretaker and I work with so many rescued/rehabbed animals who were chained up or never touched grass. I get to see them everyday living their best life with no more fear. It's the best thing ever to see (and at the same time it can be sad, to work with birds who can never fly again because they were run over or neglected). Love out there to all the trapped animals. May your spirits fly free in the afterlife so you will know at last how it feels to be free.

[@spiritofthewestanimations]

I was fortunate to see the movie twice when I was a teen, and was blown away at the level of animation I never thought I could pull off myself. 20 years later, here I am. XP

[@blueraccoon1088]

The train pull scene got me as a kid it was epic 8000/10

[@ThisisIzzy69]

Spirit is a certified hood classic! One of dreamwork's great masterpieces in my eyes :)

[@DueSouthWests]

Parents didn't bring their kids to watch because they knew their kids would become huge horse fans and want a horse and then want expensive lessons. I was way too young to watch in theaters but I watched the shit out of my DVD version and I became a huge horse fan.

[@D-a-n-c-i-n-g_R-a-c-c-o-o-n]

5:34 the soundtrack of this movie is absolutely insane. I’ve always admired this soundtrack. I could geek out about the importance and impact of good music in a movie for hours. Bryan Adams really outdid himself with this one.

[@gemstonejasper17]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. Looking back, it holds up. Not only the slower, more literary style, for lack of a better word. But to make a movie where the main character and many side characters don't talk is so hard, especially one that appeals to kids. But even if the words aren't being said, their expressions and body language still say it all. You knew exactly what Spirit was saying to his mom when he was being captured. You knew exactly how sassy Rain was being during their flirting bits. You knew exactly how much respect Spirit had for Little Creek by the end, even if he didn't put it into words. That's really hard to do and they did it beautifully. Adults can get the full enjoyment, but even children can understand what the horses are thinking, feeling, and saying to each other

[@Crawleys_Wahoo]

I'm 23 now and even if I'm not that "Horse fan" I would say this is one of the best animated movies I know. Was one of the best movies of my childhood and even today I become emotional (happy, sad,...) when I rewatch it (even if I know exactly what's gonna happen) I totally forgot the sh**show they made for kids of these days... One younger girl of my family loves/loved it, but i guess she never saw the original...

[@linnywines8014]

This was the first film I ever saw in theaters. I was completely mesmerized by what I saw on screen; it was like being transported into an entirely new world. It was inspiring, brilliant, breath taking; I’ve adored it ever since

[@someonenotsomeone8450]

Dude, this movie unironically made me who i am today This was a great summary! This should get so much recognition!

[@elioharrington]

The toddler sayint "Bye-bye horsie" kills me every time, cutest thing ever

[@MagnaFae]

I watched movie so many times during my childhood. I love the soundtrack and listen to it to this day when I feel nostalgic.

[@denimvelvet4670]

I was in elementary when this came out, and it's still one of my big favorites. There aren't many movies where the hero is an animal that doesn't talk. There aren't many horse movies about a horse that isn't in a race, or a show. Under appreciated. As are a lot of the movies that came out around this time.

[@lasercraft32]

I've noticed that this video has significantly fewer views than the first part... Might want to consider changing the thumbnail for one of them, because when I first saw them in my feed my first thought was that you posted the same video twice somehow (which of course, is obviously not the case). I wouldn't be surprised if people got recommended the second part and assumed it was the same video.

[@lilyellowninja]

This movie is one of my favorite childhood movies and one of my favorite movies in general! Maybe even my very favorite. I have loved horses ever since I was very very young and this movie helped light that passion.

[@cheetah192119]

Spirit is one of my favorite Dreamworks movie. I grew up with it and everything from the soundtrack to the animation and ambition techniques for the time was just stunning. I love watching new people discover it and react to it. Being pleasantly surprised at how good it is. I love that more people are finding and appreciating this movie. I really wish it had done better at the box office. I saw it in theaters about 5 times, one of which was for a contest that the senior supervising animator of Spirit himself, James Baxter, showed up to speak before the movie and signed my drawing. It is a very fond memory for me. I'm glad your enjoyed it and I loved hearing your thoughts on the movie!

[@lemonsgalore93]

Loved animals since young, particularly horses and cats. Also loved music and singing. So when I first watched this movie when I was in my early teens, I absolutely loved it. Watched it over and over again, until I could sing all the songs by heart. Even now, when I’ve just hit 30, when you played that clip of Spirit first being captured, I can remember exactly how Spirit neighed so fiercely at his mom to leave him and tears welled up. I remember how sadly Rain whinnied when Spirit was dragged away from her. Watched the DVD extras, how James Baxter drew Spirit. In those extras, he taught you how to do it and I actually tried and practiced. Spirit will always be my favourite childhood film. It taught me what an indomitable spirit really meant and I think this film and LOTR taught me a lot in my childhood. And so I’m really happy you gave it another chance! Thank you for loving it and thank you to your girlfriend for making you watch it again!

[@lunar_proxy]

this movie shaped my damn childhood i say. everything about it... i rewatched it back-to-back, i brought it to school to share, i drew spirit and rain all the time, i re-enacted scenes with my toys, this movie changed my brain chemistry or something. i watched it because i was a silly horsegirl and came out a changed gwurl...

[@GragonOhare]

I bought this soundtrack from Borders back in the day. Took it with me everywhere in my Walkman case. I still have it. Core memory, right there.

[@mudpawkendra]

My cousin and I pretty much had this movie memorized during our Horse Girl™️ phase. We had the t-shirts, the soundtrack, the dolls, everything. Spirit was life. I have a photo of me riding a horse in my Spirit t-shirt. I am glad your girlfriend called you out because this movie is the shit. Like, l in in part one just hearing someone talking about the narration in the beginning I got chills because the “when wild horses ran free” part blasted through my memory like a herd of mustangs. This movie is peak.

[@miraculousblog2803]

I love spirit is one of my old time favourites it a great movie and deserves more love and respect.

[@watcher8032]

This was one film my family had on DVD and we ended up buying the album and playing it so much. I can identify even the intermetals now by heart, and sound the bugle is such a good heart-breaking song.

[@Oddball6676]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but there is also a whole book series from a variety of horses perspectives, including Spirit, his mom, and his girlfriend's past. They were very cool to tween me, no idea how they would hold up today.

[@impartialeggplant4438]

I don't know how to describe how the soundtrack makes me feel. Makes me long to feel the way Spirit does when he runs free.

[@mittrianafini3477]

Sound the Bugle is a song we play at cookouts for Memorial day, 4th of July, and Veterans day.

[@noctyria1003]

Your videos on Spirit popped up on my feed and I was hit with an avalanche of nostalgia. I had to rewatch this beautiful piece of art. So, thank you for that! And yes, the music from this film is forever engraved in my heart. Right besides sims 3 loading screen soundtracks 😂

[@MxMcGeeky]

One of my grandma’s favorite stories to tell was this one time when I was like 3 or 4 and I was playing while sitting in front of the tv and one of my distant relatives (one of her brothers I think) entered the room and switched the tv to some sports game. Evidently I just stopped playing and slowly looked at him and just said in the most serious tone “I was watching Spirit…” and he quickly changed it back to the movie, dropped the remote and put his hands up. And I just went “Thank you.” And went back to what I was doing.

[@Steph-zo5zk]

In hindsight I think this movie may be one of the most formative pieces of media I ever saw after Pocahontas. Explains so much of my childhood horse and animal obsession. Even with no real understanding of the true horrors of colonialism at that age I felt a strong empathy for both heroes in spirit, feeling like I was constantly forced to behave against my own nature (I'm autistic) and the moment where he is freed but still saves his friend makes me cry even now. I also loved that the protagonist was non-verbal but still portrayed with so much emotional complexity and strength. I was never completely non verbal but I found verbal communication exhausting and difficult my whole life and I think this was one of the first times I saw a protagonist like me that I could look up to. It's very sad that the movie didn't do well, it was so beautiful and well made.

[@evychamberlayne5686]

I grew up with this movie, and it's the absolute best. It's so captivating with the beautiful visuals and the amazing soundtrack, and its so nostalgic for me as well

[@annikaheydl7342]

A detail that I only noticed after maybe my 100th watch, is that the horse’s name is given by Little Creek, and that it’s not actually just Spirit. When he says goodbye, he says "take care of her, Spirit-That-Will-Not-Be-Broken". That’s the name of the horse. It follows the classic structure of a Native American name and is the perfect nail cherry on top of essence of the movie. Notice how before that, humans only ever call him "Mustang". Every single thematic detail of this movie has been thought out and executed to perfection

[@vixxcelacea2778]

I loved this movie and still do. I remember watching the behind the scenes stuff and the drawing tutorial. I think I even still have the finished product. I also have a totally silly but fond memory of my cousin and I changing the lyrics to Sound the Bugle: "Then from on high. Somewhere in the distance. There's a voice that calls; Clean up on isle threeeeee. If you lose your Safeway. Your Albertson's soon will follow. So be strong tonight... Don't forget to pick up some milk." Super good film. I also get the "Get off of my back and into my game" song stuck in my head randomly.

[@Riva_Ridge]

0:25, as I grew up and learned more about the history of the United States I started to see a major resemblance between the General in Spirit and General Custer who lead the charge on the Battle of Little Big Horn

[@SavannahBurris]

Okay so it’s not just me that rewatched this lately and was reminded of just how good it is!

[@yyyy-dm6bm]

we forgive you . Its a fantastic heart warming film and both parts of this commentary was great

[@Twisted56]

I genuinely love this film, the animation and the story is amazing

[@eeebo3955]

this was my all time favorite movie during my childhood!! i couldn't tell you how many times i've watched it 💚 it inspired me to start drawing at a young age and will forever have a special place in my heart!

[@buffyVampslyr364]

The Ritsu jumpscare 😂😅 So glad someone is talking about how good this movie is, and from the comments it's really made a place on people's hearts which I think it truly deserves. 😊

[@skeinofadifferentcolor2090]

Here I Am was my wedding song that I had picked out for literally over a decade, I am very pleased to say that I fulfilled that dream. 😊 Also... Not me literally bawling while watching your videos on this movie.

[@Blubberblase7]

I love this movie and just wanted to see you telling us why you had it wrong before, but here I am, tears in my eyes over the way you admire the beauty of this film. It is just so damn good ^^

[@ajc7295]

Easily my fave movie from childhood. Animation, storytelling, characters, MUSIC… so many good memories of this classic. I wish it could’ve been released in today’s age, I think it would’ve been a lot more successful.

[@Double-Rainbow-]

i saw this movie in theaters, once it came out on dvd i got it from a family member dressed as santa and i ran off to the other room to go watch it and didnt care about anything else. i have the vhs tape and the dvd, i had the sound track but it went missing. i loved horses as a kid and this movie influenced me heavily growing up.

[@wildwaters8348]

As a horse girl. This movie was my everything. I love it SO MUCH

[@parkershaw3753]

I actually saw this movie in a theater when I was a child. Haven't rewatched it since (because I saw it in theaters I didn't have a VHS or DVD) but it's always been there in the back of my mind, floating up from time to time. I remember thinking it was very good, but also that most of scenes made me very anxious/unsettled. (The portrayal of branding really got me; that was nightmare fuel for me at the time.) I think I was in the small age range it didn't work for (or maybe it was the autism) because I was too young/lacked the historical knowledge to _really_ get what it was saying, but old enough that I knew that there _was_ a lot more going on. I guess I'm also due for a rewatch.

[@CrystalRubyMoon]

Spirit was my absolute FAVORITE movie when I was a kid. I didnt understand the history about it (I'm Filipino, lived in the Philippines and didnt get the context). Just found it super cool how this horse always fought for his freedom. I still listen to "Here I Am" to this day! I like to ignore the tv show they put on this recently. I heard that it centers around Spirit being ridden by kids, and like?? No?? That aint him whatv id you do to my boy

[@Ponderpine]

I think the narration and some of the music definitely dates it, but I like it. Kind of gives me Treasure Planet's "I'm still here" vibe. Although, I do wonder what the movie would be like without the narration. I don't think it's necessary. I had a hard time watching this growing up. My sister always wanted to watch it, but I just couldn't bear seeing him in pain and separated over and over again. Great movie though.

[@robin_hatter]

Dear miss gf, please made him watch Ever After High too 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@unripetheberrby6283]

Yeeeess EAH

[@alexevans2011]

My favorite part of this movie was how even at the end of it all spirit never did become ‘tamed’ in any real way. He might have let the guy ride him but he never allowed a saddle and harness and eventually went back to his home. That was what did it for me. Second favorite dreamworks movie. Brother bear will always be number one though

[@katrinepedersen9660]

How many movies did good in box office, but never really made an impact in popular culture after all, vs a film like Spirit that is more of a slow burner. Might not have done so well when it released, but it is to this day relevant and a beloved and cherished movie. It's one of my favorite childhood movies, and I feel like the rewatchability say something about how great it is. It's never getting dull or slow even if you've seen it 1 or 10 times before. I even showed it to a very much dude friend of mine who thought it was just another horse girl movie, and was very sceptical. But even he had to admit it was pretty alright after all.

[@rachellofton5601]

This was my favorite movie as a kid. I just loved the message of hope and freedom. Maybe not my favorite movie as an adult, but still a great kid's movie.

[@Aoikitty]

I watched this movie religiously as a kid and still absolutely adore it to this day

[@Koutouhara]

Spirit isn't just a movie you watch for entertainment - it has a MESSAGE. It stand to show important characteristics and values that are forgotten all to often. It honors and respects important communities; and speaks to newer generations watching about all these things. It is hands down one of my most favorite of American animated films.

[@irish.eventing0386]

Also, a small note. I don't know if many noticed but the horses around spirit during the train car scene and the locomotive hauling scene were the horses from the Lakota tribe.

[@Local_Greml1n]

Spirit has been my all time favorite movie since before i can even remember. and im not saying that just because i was a horse girl tm growing up. it just really is a great movie and i love that the horses dont talk in it and you get parts where you know exactly whats going on with no talking at all.

[@zeezaoakenshield9781]

Im convinced that if 90% of the animated films that came out in the early 2000s or late 90s, came out today they would blow the box office away and be way more appreciated

[@skookiecat_29]

Give my thanks to your girlfriend, she’s a real one.

[@sydneyjackson6530]

This movie was a huge part of my childhood and is one of the reasons I got into animation, and frankly art in general. If I could preserve one film and one film only, it would be this one.

[@sarcastic_14-yeard_old]

This movie was my literal childhood. I watched it all the time and my friends had all watched it when we were little.

[@dashlee6042]

I LOOOOOVVEE SPIRIT, I watchef it all the time as a kid. I still watch it now, i love horses and this easily became my favorite

[@Bonfirestars]

This movie was my childhood I’m glad to see it get the recognition it deserves cause it’s amazing